The foreign ministers of the four Quad nations—India, the United States, Japan, and Australia—met in New Delhi on Tuesday (May 26) and issued a strong joint statement, expressing serious concern over China’s actions in the South and East China Seas, demanding safe passage through key waterways in West Asia, and condemning the Pahalgam and Bondi terror attacks.
The meeting also produced an announcement for the Pacific with the four countries announcing they would work with Fiji to develop port infrastructure there, building on a conference India hosted in October last year on resilient and secure ports.
South and East China Seas
The ministers, speaking about China’s aggression in the South and East China Seas, said they were “seriously concerned” about the dangerous and coercive actions in the South China Sea—including the use of water cannons, flares, and the ramming or blocking of other vessels by Chinese coast guard and maritime militia ships.
They also raised concerns about interference with offshore resource development and restrictions on freedom of navigation and overflight in the region.
The statement reminded all parties that an international arbitration ruling from ten years ago remains the basis for resolving maritime disputes peacefully. China has consistently refused to accept the ruling. The ministers also flagged the militarisation of disputed features in the South China Sea as a matter of serious concern.
West Asia
In West Asia, the Quad ministers said they supported ongoing diplomatic efforts and hoped for lasting peace in the region. On economics, they stressed that global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea must not be disrupted.
They condemned attacks on commercial shipping and said they would oppose any measures inconsistent with international maritime law, including the imposition of tolls on shipping lanes.
Throughout the statement, the ministers returned repeatedly to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, as the governing framework for all maritime matters. They said all disputes must be resolved peacefully and within this framework.
Pahalgam Attack
In a significant passage for India, the ministers unequivocally condemned the terrorist attack at Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which killed tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. They also condemned the Bondi Beach attack in Sydney in December last year.
The statement called for strong and sustained international action against terror groups, their financiers, sponsors, and affiliates. It also raised concerns about the use of emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.
Fiji Port Deal
In a development that reflects the Quad’s broader ambition to build infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific, the four countries announced they would partner with the Fijian government to develop port facilities. The announcement follows a Ports of the Future conference hosted by India in October 2025, which focused on building secure and resilient port infrastructure.
The Fiji project is seen as part of a larger push to offer Pacific island nations an alternative to Chinese-funded infrastructure.
EAM Jaishankar’s remarks
Addressing the media after the Quad meet, Dr. S. Jaishankar said stressed that in the quest for growth and prosperity, the Quad’s collective strength lies in deeper exchanges — be it in business forums, healthcare initiatives, or digital activities. “Each passage of a joint effort makes the region that much better as democratic nations,” he said.
The External Affairs Minister said the meeting also devoted significant attention to countering terrorism, asserting that there must be zero tolerance for it. “Nations subject to terrorist attacks have the right to defend themselves,” he declared.
On the Indo-Pacific, Jaishankar described the region as multifaceted, saying it was encouraging to take stock of progress across several areas while looking ahead to further exploration, whether in economic activity, energy trade, or commerce.
“The Indo-Pacific will become even more important to the world,” he said, adding that the responsibilities of the Quad would grow commensurately. “We must prepare for that.”